Growing Sweetcorn

Growing sweet corn can be a lot of fun for the whole family, as there is nothing sweeter than corn on the
cob, straight from the garden to the barbie. Corn, also known as maize, is one of the world’s most popular
grains. High in fibre, it’s a rich source of vitamins A, B1 and B3, as well as containing minerals such as
potassium and manganese.
Sweet corn can be found in a wide range of foods, from cereals such as Corn Flakes,
to snack foods such as tortillas and taco shells. Enjoy sweet corn on the cob or cut from the cob
to enjoy served cold in salads or salsa, or warm in casseroles, soups or an accompaniment to any
meat or fish, grilled, boiled or steamed.
Sweet corn is easy to grow as long as you give it plenty of space and protection from the wind.
On average, it will take 60 to 100 days to harvest depending, on the temperature and the sunshine.
LIFE CYCLE OF SWEET CORNS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Sowing seeds Germination Baby sweet corn Sweet corn seedlings Sweet corn growth Sweet corn Sweet corn ripening
seedlings ready for transplant cob formation and harvest

When to plant
Sweet corn likes a warm, frost-free growing period, so seed is sown during
spring and summer with harvests from summer plantings extending into
autumn. The season ends as the weather cools, especially when there is
frost. Check hardware and garden centres for varieties in your local area.
1. In cool to cold zones, plant sweet corn in October to November.
2. In temperate zones plant sweet corn from September to October,
although it may still be possible until January.
3. In tropical zones, sweet corn can be grown year-round.
Location
• Sweet corn prefers full sun (or with light afternoon shade in
hotter climates) and protected from strong winds that can damage
the plants.
• Select a space with enough room to sow several rows to form a
block of corn. An area 1m x 1m is the minimum space for planting.
• As this is a tall crop, which takes many months to reach harvest, the
space around these plants can be used to grow other crops. Before
the plants become tall, it is possible to grow a quick crop of lettuce
between rows or around a block of corn.
• The stems can also be used to support other plants including
climbing beans. A block of corn can also be grown to provide shade
and shelter to other crops such as leafy greens.
Soil
Sweet corn like a well-drained, slightly acid to
neutral pH soil around 6.5 to 7. They will grow in most
soils, however, hate heavy clay.
As sweet corn requires a lot of nutrients for healthy,
tall growth, add plenty of compost and aged manure to
the soil before planting or apply Seasol Liquid Compost.
A soil rich in nutrients helps build strong plants so add
Seasol Plant + Soil Booster (100g per square metre)
and a fertiliser such as PowerFeed Controlled Release
Tomatoes & Vegetables.
Water in well and let the soil rest for a week or
two if possible.
Spreading organic mulch around the base
of the plant helps to keep the roots cool
and the soil moist.

for more info:

*Check application rates on product
Toll Free 1800 335 508
labels or go to the Seasol website.
www.seasol.com.au
 Growing Sweetcorn
1. Sowing seeds 2. Germination

• Just before sowing water the soil well so the seed is sown into • Expect germination in 6-10 days. Germination may be slower
damp, but not overly wet, soil. in cold conditions. If the weather does turn cold after
sowing seeds, the soil came be warmed up by covering
• Allow plenty of room for sweet corn to grow. Not only does
it with black plastic, horticulture fleece or shade cloth.
it grow tall, but it’s also best grown in a block at least a
Remember to remove it during the warmer part of the day
metre square. This is because sweet corn is wind-pollinated
and reapply at night until the temperature increases.
so planting it in a block maximises pollination and produces
well-filled cobs. • Check the soil daily, if it remains damp no further watering
may be needed until seeds germinate. In dry conditions,
• Sweet corn seed is large and easy to handle. It is best sown,
water gently.
directly where it is to grow.
• Apply Seasol GOLD or Seasol weekly (Mix 30mL of
• To sow seeds, make a furrow in the soil about 25mm deep.
concentrate per 9 litres of water) as this will
Make furrows around 50cm apart in a block of at least 1m
help to stimulate a strong tap root and healthy,
square. Space seeds around 15-20cm apart and lightly cover
tall growth.
after sowing.
• When sweet corn seeds sprout, they only have
• Water in well with Seasol GOLD or Seasol as this
two leaves. These seedling leaves are narrow and
will help to increase seed germination rates.
unlike the adult leaves.

4. Sweet corn seedlings ready

3. Baby sweet corn seedlings for transplant

• About two weeks after the seed leaves have opened, the true
leaves will appear; these leaves will look like blades of grass.
• Thin plants when they are large enough to handle, so they are
20-30cm apart to allow plenty of room for these large plants
to develop.
• Spread a thin layer of organic mulch around the developing
plants to retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition.
• Sweet corn seedlings need a lot of nutrients to grow to produce
a tasty bumper crop so, liquid feed with PowerFeed PRO SERIES
for Tomatoes & Vegetables every 1 to 2 weeks. Increase the
application rates from 20mL to 50mL of concentrate per 9 litres
of water as the plants mature. • Transplant seedlings purchased or sown in punnets.
• Check soil moisture daily and water as needed. • Plant them at the depth they were in the punnet. Soak the
punnet in Seasol before transplanting to make it easier to
separate individual seedlings without damage to their root
system and to reduce transplant shock.
• If the seedlings look a bit leggy and stretched, plant them a
little deeper.
• Water your newly transplanted seedlings in with Seasol or
Seasol GOLD to get them over transplant shock.
• Mulch around each plant suppresses weeds and helps retain
soil moisture.
• If extra crops are planted in and around sweet corn,
provide extra water and nutrients to keep sweet corns
growing strongly.

for more info:

*Check application rates on product
Toll Free 1800 335 508
labels or go to the Seasol website.
www.seasol.com.au
 Growing Sweetcorn

5. Sweet corn growth 6. Sweet corn cob formation

• The key to a good crop of sweet corn is providing the growing
plants with plenty of fertiliser and regular, deep watering.
• Every 6-8 weeks give another application of
PowerFeed Controlled Release for Tomatoes
& Vegetables to produce a bumper crop of
yummy, sweet corn and to revitalise depleted
soils. Remember to water it in thoroughly
after application.
• As the tall stems develop, they may produce
roots above the ground. Build a layer of soil
around these to prevent them from drying out.
• Remove weeds and top up mulch.
• Apply PowerFeed PRO SERIES for Tomatoes & Vegetables
weekly as the tassels (male flowers) appear as the plant
reaches maturity and begins to flower.
• Tassels are produced at the top of the plant. Pollen is released
by tassels and blown on the wind to fertilise the female
flowers, which grow lower down on the stalk and form cobs.
• Sweet corn demands a lot of water. However, it is important to
keep the cobs dry as they mature, so water only the roots and
avoid watering the foliage and developing cobs.
• Check soil moisture daily to ensure the plant and cobs
don’t dry out. Check plants morning and evening during high
summer or when it is dry and windy.

7. Sweet corn ripening and harvest Things to watch out for...

• Fall armyworm This striped

• Sweet corn takes around 10 to 12 weeks to grow and produce cobs.
• Watch the crop carefully to pick cobs at their peak ripeness when
they are sweet and juicy. Overripe cobs quickly become tough as
sugars in the kernel are converted to starch.
• Tell-tale signs that the cobs are ready to harvest include the silks
turning from greeny-yellow to brown and cobs standing out at an
angle from the side of the plant. To further test for ripeness, peel
back the outer husk and press a thumbnail into a kernel. If it is at its • Corn aphids Black aphids may
peak, it will exude a creamy juice known as ‘milk’. attack corn particularly in mild
autumn conditions. If numbers
• Sweet corn is best eaten as soon as it is harvested. Cobs store for build up, hose them off.
a few days if they are well wrapped and kept in the crisper section • Corn earworm This caterpillar
of the fridge. Excess can be blanched and frozen or used to make appears as the cobs begin
pickles and relish. to form. Corn earworm (also
called budworm caterpillars),
burrow down from the top of the
cob into the kernels. This pest
has become resistant to most
chemicals. For organic control
check plants regularly for signs of
caterpillars or frass (droppings)
and webbing at the top of the
cob. Remove caterpillars or
affected cobs. Try the organic
insecticide Dipel, but this is
ineffective if caterpillars have
already entered cobs.
caterpillar is a new pest to
Australia that may affect all
mainland Australia especially
during summer. It feeds on
leaves and moves to cobs and is
active through the warmest parts
of the year. Control is difficult
as the pest is resistant to many
common chemicals including
pyrethrum. Products containing
spinosaid are recommended.
• Leaf blight of corn This
bacterial disease may attack
foliage leaving brown patches.
It may also lead to poor cob
development. It is mainly seen
in wet summers. There are no
chemicals registered for control
in home garden so keep foliage
dry by watering the roots and
also regularly remove weeds.
• Sweet corn rust This fungal
disease leaves rusty patches
on leaves and reduces cob size
and yield. Keep foliage dry by
watering the roots and also
regularly remove weeds. Look
for rust-resistant varieties.

for more info:

*Check application rates on product
Toll Free 1800 335 508
labels or go to the Seasol website.
www.seasol.com.au